Why Put Pennies in Our Piggy Bank?
I built JamesBaquet.com for four purposes:
So we'd like to ask you to put a few pennies in our piggy bank.
If you think this is an outrage ("Why does he want my money?") read on.
- to help people understand how to be happy and at peace
- to share my experiences of the places I've been and people I've met
- to keep friends and family informed of Lila's and my activities
- to help us settle in the Philippines
So we'd like to ask you to put a few pennies in our piggy bank.
If you think this is an outrage ("Why does he want my money?") read on.
A Simple Life
Here's my wife, Lila, and me at her grandmother's last birthday party, outside of Manila. (Photo by Lila's niece Hannah, aged 8.)
We live a simple life here in South China. I live in my school's dorm; she lives in her company's dorm. She comes here on weekends.
I spend most of the week writing. I have lunch out once a week with a "spiritual buddy"; otherwise, I eat at home. On weekends we eat out once or twice.
We have no car. No mortgage. No debt.
Yes, it's possible.
As long as we live in China, the money's OK, and we're saving some.
But eventually, we want to live in the Philippines, near Hannah the photographer and the rest of Lila's family.
For that, we need your help.
I am a teacher, not a businessman. I do not have a company. Virtually everything you see on my websites was done by me.
It takes a lot of time. But I think it's worth it.
If you think so, too, please consider making a donation. You can read more about the "whys" below. Or you can just stop here and help us out.
We live a simple life here in South China. I live in my school's dorm; she lives in her company's dorm. She comes here on weekends.
I spend most of the week writing. I have lunch out once a week with a "spiritual buddy"; otherwise, I eat at home. On weekends we eat out once or twice.
We have no car. No mortgage. No debt.
Yes, it's possible.
As long as we live in China, the money's OK, and we're saving some.
But eventually, we want to live in the Philippines, near Hannah the photographer and the rest of Lila's family.
For that, we need your help.
I am a teacher, not a businessman. I do not have a company. Virtually everything you see on my websites was done by me.
It takes a lot of time. But I think it's worth it.
If you think so, too, please consider making a donation. You can read more about the "whys" below. Or you can just stop here and help us out.
The "James and Lila Want to Settle in the Philippines" Fund
Since 1997, I've spent most of my time living in Asia (with a brief hiatus for schooling in 2002-2004). And now I'm married to a Filipina.
Let's face it: I will probably never live in the States again.
Oh, I love America, sure. I think the openness of our society is in many ways unique, and I am thankful for it. When I took Lila for a visit in Jan-Feb 2009, she, too, was struck by the beauty and ease of living there.
But despite the many frustrations of living in a developing country, there's something here that fosters development in me. As outside, so inside? Furthermore, after spending the summer of 2008 in the Philippines, I'm pretty sure "dat mus' be da place."
Why?
First, the cultural mix. There are indigenous peoples in the north, Muslims in the south, ancient Catholic churches and an earthy Catholic practice everywhere, Chinese temples throughout the islands, and an overlay of American culture (English is widely spoken).
Second, because of that last point, there are English bookstores and libraries everywhere.
Third, my wife "belongs" there. There's family and good connections.
Fourth, though the weather is hot, it's a damned cool place. Lots of art and design, poetry and performance, veg foods and Eastern religions. Not to mention it's dead gorgeous (once you leave the cities, which have their own kind of "charm").
Fifth, because of her economy, the Philippines has lots of opportunities where a little time, a little money, a little expertise can make a LOT of difference. I'd really like to get engaged in volunteer activities there in a way that I haven't been able to in China (due to language, the system, etc.).
Finally, it's an incredibly cheap place to live--nothing to sneeze at for a man in his 50s with no retirement plan.
The only drawback is a law of economics: If a place is cheap to live, there's usually not much money to made there.
If we had $1,000 US dollars a month, we could live like royalty. For well under $50,000 we could buy a nice house with some land.
The problem is, as a teacher, I'd be lucky to make $500 a month. And I don't want to work more than another 15 years or so, at least as in "go to work" work.
What's to be done?
How about making a living off the internet? How about:
So support our mission. Participate in our adventure. Make a donation.
Thank you!
Let's face it: I will probably never live in the States again.
Oh, I love America, sure. I think the openness of our society is in many ways unique, and I am thankful for it. When I took Lila for a visit in Jan-Feb 2009, she, too, was struck by the beauty and ease of living there.
But despite the many frustrations of living in a developing country, there's something here that fosters development in me. As outside, so inside? Furthermore, after spending the summer of 2008 in the Philippines, I'm pretty sure "dat mus' be da place."
Why?
First, the cultural mix. There are indigenous peoples in the north, Muslims in the south, ancient Catholic churches and an earthy Catholic practice everywhere, Chinese temples throughout the islands, and an overlay of American culture (English is widely spoken).
Second, because of that last point, there are English bookstores and libraries everywhere.
Third, my wife "belongs" there. There's family and good connections.
Fourth, though the weather is hot, it's a damned cool place. Lots of art and design, poetry and performance, veg foods and Eastern religions. Not to mention it's dead gorgeous (once you leave the cities, which have their own kind of "charm").
Fifth, because of her economy, the Philippines has lots of opportunities where a little time, a little money, a little expertise can make a LOT of difference. I'd really like to get engaged in volunteer activities there in a way that I haven't been able to in China (due to language, the system, etc.).
Finally, it's an incredibly cheap place to live--nothing to sneeze at for a man in his 50s with no retirement plan.
The only drawback is a law of economics: If a place is cheap to live, there's usually not much money to made there.
If we had $1,000 US dollars a month, we could live like royalty. For well under $50,000 we could buy a nice house with some land.
The problem is, as a teacher, I'd be lucky to make $500 a month. And I don't want to work more than another 15 years or so, at least as in "go to work" work.
What's to be done?
How about making a living off the internet? How about:
- Taking all the reading, and traveling, and inquiring that I've done, and share it with the world, for free?
- Taking all the photos I've shot and turn them into works of art, for sale at slightly higher prices?
- Writing some e-books (with a chance of becoming "real" books), creating virtual photo albums, starting a newsletter, taking on some private students?
- Getting to the point where Lila and I could be anywhere (a month in India, two weeks in Paris) and still have income?
So support our mission. Participate in our adventure. Make a donation.
Thank you!